Vinny Del Negro Wins “Practice” Coach of the Year
As the new Bulls season approaches, we can all excited about a few things: the arrival of Derrick Rose as a superstar, Tyrus Thomas finally reaching his potential, Noah taking a step forward, Deng coming back full strength, and others. But there is one thing the makes me dread the upcoming season, and that thing is Vinny Del Negro.
Vinny proved to be a terrible coach in many ways last season. His inability to draw up plays during timeouts, make halftime adjustments, get his players to play team defense, and put together any semblance of an offensive system or philosophy was extremely detrimental to the team’s success night after night. As a rookie coach with a budding young superstar point guard, handing Rose the keys and just saying “go” was somewhat acceptable and may have helped Rose to feel his way out on the court. This year is going to have to be different, however. And according to John Jackson at the Sun-Times, it will be:
But Del Negro also did a lot of things right last season. I was especially impressed with the way he worked with the team’s young players and got them to improve as the season went along. He did a very good job getting Derrick Rose ready to play from the start of the season and also had a positive effect on Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas.
Fans don’t get a chance to see a coach work with players in practice, so I can understand why most Bulls fans had a negative opinion of Del Negro. All they saw were the games and there were too many mistakes to have any other opinion.
I know it’s just the preseason, but I’ve noticed a change in Del Negro so far. The year of experience seems to have made a big difference. He’s more confident and isn’t as defensive. He’s been very organized and the team got a lot accomplished in the first two weeks of camp. Barring any major injuries over the next three weeks, the Bulls should be prepared for a fast start in the regular season.
Boy that Vinny Del Negro sounds like a great assistant coach doesn’t he? He was able to motivate Noah and allow Rose to improvise and be creative last season, and he sure can get those Bulls to be organized in practice. As far as a head coach goes? It would have been nice for him to gain this experience and confidence from farther down the bench instead of throwing him, and the Bulls, into the fire.
Oh and another thing, I don’t know about this whole fast start thing. This Oct/Nov schedule does not look pretty for the Bulls.
| Thu 29 | vs San Antonio  |
7:00pm |  |
ESPN Radio 1000 | |
| Fri 30 | @ Boston | 7:00pm | WGN |  |
ESPN Radio 1000 |
| November | Opponent | Time | Local TV | Nat TV | Radio |
| Sun 01 | @ Miami | 5:00pm | CSN-Chicago | ESPN Radio 1000 | |
| Tue 03 | vs Milwaukee |
7:00pm | CSN-Chicago | ESPN Radio 1000 | |
| Thu 05 | @ Cleveland | 7:00pm | |
ESPN Radio 1000 | |
| Sat 07 | vs Charlotte |
7:00pm | WGN America | ESPN Radio 1000 | |
| Tue 10 | vs Denver |
7:00pm | CSN-Chicago | ESPN Radio 1000 | |
| Wed 11 | @ Toronto | 6:00pm | WCIU | ESPN Radio 1000 | |
| Sat 14 | vs Philadelphia |
7:00pm | CSN-Chicago | ESPN Radio 1000 | |
| Tue 17 | @ Sacramento | 9:00pm | WGN | ESPN Radio 1000 | |
| Thu 19 | @ LA Lakers | 9:30pm | |
ESPN Radio 1000 | |
| Sat 21 | @ Denver | 8:00pm | WGN | ESPN Radio 1000 | |
| Mon 23 | @ Portland | 9:00pm | WGN |  |
ESPN Radio 1000 |
| Thu 26 | @ Utah | 9:30pm | WGN | |
ESPN Radio 1000 |
| Mon 30 | @ Milwaukee | 7:00pm | CSN-Chicago | ESPN Radio 1000 |
10 out of the first 15 on the road, and 10 out of the first 15 against playoff teams? Ouch. Also, if the Bulls get off to a slow start, you have to think Vinny’s job would be in jeopardy. It just doesn’t look good for Vinny Del Crapo.
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